2024 Ultimate Sephora Sale Guide
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Good day, skincare enthusiasts. Welcome to But More Importantly where we delve into new beauty topics each week. If you haven't subscribed yet, you're missing out on some valuable insights. So, feel free to hit subscribe and like this article, because today we are going to navigate upcoming skincare sales.
A myriad of skincare sales are on the horizon, about to flood your social media feeds on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. I aim to ensure you are prepared and informed, so that you don't end up spending recklessly in the face of FOMO, a common affliction given the constant influx of new beauty brands and products. Today's article is geared towards the impending Sephora sale running from November 1st to November 11th. Let me be clear, Sephora or any brand does not sponsor this article. All the product recommendations I am about to share are purely based on my experience and those of our team at But More Importantly.
Now is the time to strategize. This article will be segmented according to skin issues, so you have a clear roadmap for tailoring a skincare regimen based on your specific needs.
Unmasking the Best in Skincare
Discoloration and Spot Treatment Products
First up, my favourite topic, pigmentation. The most impactful change for a refreshed look is an even skin tone. Knowing how to exfoliate is essential. You should target your melanocytes and exfoliate using, at the very least, lactic acid.
First on the list is Paula's Choice with their 10 percent azelaic acid booster, a great companion to the Major Fade Line by Dr. Idriss, which addresses discoloration through three unique steps. It's an effective night-time product, especially for spot treatment, hyperpigmentation, or even rosacea, at a price point of $29.30.
Redness and Rosacea Solutions
Next is the InnBeauty Project's Green Machine, a $34 green Vitamin C serum ideal for redness and rosacea. Its green tint, while not a cure, can help diminish the appearance of redness in your everyday routine.
Lastly, we have Dr. Jart's Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment with SPF 30, a sunscreen that can visually neutralize redness. However, this product is best suited for lighter skin tones. It's a mineral sunscreen, meaning it has a slightly tacky, powdery texture but provides a good makeup base. You might not even need makeup with this on! Just remember to use the right amount - two full fingers for your face.
Solutions for Dry Skin
Let's move on to dryness, a common problem during the Northern Hemisphere's winter months. For those living in desert climates like, say, Utah, this is a particularly pertinent issue.
This one is a splurge, but worth considering: SK II's facial treatment essence at $245. I'm not a huge fan of the packaging, so here's a tip: Pour a few of these precious drops into a spray bottle purchased from Amazon. Two or three spritzes on your face and you'll see it goes much farther than attempting to apply drop by drop on your palm. Apply it under your serums and moisturizers. Use it twice daily, and you'll see how it helps retain moisture from your other products. This is the best time to buy it as it's usually such a splurge. There's also a mini version available.
For the third point, let's talk about the Kiehl's ultra facial cream. I'm such a fan. It's glycerin-based and does not contain hyaluronic acid. It has a thick consistency, is scent-free, and it's incredibly smooth, helping your face retain moisture. It includes squalane which nourishes your skin's moisture barrier, as well as glacial glycoproteins, the primary ingredient that helps maintain your skin's moisture equilibrium. It's worth every bit of the $39.
Breakout Management Products
Let's now delve into breakouts. First up is the Kate Somerville Eradicate Daily Cleanser with Sulfur Acne Treatment with 3 percent sulfur. I use it more like a mask, leaving it on my face for a few minutes before washing. It's also a great spot treatment for blemishes. It sells for $44.
Another good product is Kiehl's targeted acne pimple patch with salicylic acid at 2%. It's a clear patch that you stick onto your skin. It dries up each pimple and can be concealed under makeup. This is perfect for people who prefer to keep their treatment discreet.
This is followed by Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant, a salicylic acid toner, and a good alternative to the classic orange Neutrogena cleanser. It's recommended for nightly use but those with salicylic acid sensitivity should always do a patch test first. The price is $35.
Anti-Aging and Fine Line Solutions
As we move on to fine lines and wrinkles, the goal is to age naturally, healthily, and gracefully by building a robust collagen foundation. First, we have Dr. Dennis Gross' exfoliating alpha beta universal daily peel pads. Priced at $92, this is the time to grab them. I suggest using these around three times a week, so they should last you more than one month, possibly up to three. They're a blend of AHA, BHA, and 12 antioxidants, conveniently packed in individual wrappers for easy travel.
Peter Thomas Roth presents a retinol fusion PM night serum with 1.5% microencapsulated retinol. This is not for beginners, as it's one of the most potent over-the-counter retinol forms available. It imparts a radiant glow to your complexion andcreates a delightful sheen, making your skin appear luminous.
Eye-Care Essentials: Looking Beyond the Surface
Moving on to the topic of under-eye creams. When it comes to the application, these creams should be applied before your moisturizer but after your serums, from my viewpoint. The ideal eye cream should also have a clear purpose, either addressing a specific issue or delivering a set of ingredients targeted at your under-eye area. Vitamin C serves the under-eye area well but not everyone can tolerate its pure form, ascorbic acid. Hence, the Origins GinZing Vitamin C eye cream is a good solution. It's a brightening eye cream with vitamin C that contains a stable, water-soluble form, immunopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, aimed at brightening the area. If dark circles run in your family, over-the-counter creams may not do much. However, if your darkening is due to excessive rubbing or sun exposure, this could be a great addition.
Kate Somerville's luxurious retinol firming eye cream, complete with a gold metal applicator, feels like an under-eye massage with each application. It's gentle on the eyes but the exact retinol concentration isn't disclosed, so we assume it's quite mild. I've been using it for years and am very pleased with it.
Shani Darden's intensive eye renewal cream is another option, loaded with firming peptides and safe for those who are pregnant or intolerant to retinols.
Sun Protection: The Glow You Need
Now let's discuss sun protection. Supergoop is known for innovating sunscreens and their Glow Screen is one of my favorites. It adds a beautiful sheen to my face when applied atop makeup, but it is rather harsh on my eyes and I avoid full-face application. Just a dab gives a glimmering disco ball effect.
Supergoop also offers an SPF powder available in four shades, which are refillable, and therefore more environmentally friendly than other options. It isn't the best at dispensing the powder, but it works efficiently once you get used to it.
A daily staple in my routine is Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer, a chemical sunscreen that is gentle on the eyes. I use two full fingers of the product and apply it over my cheeks and make sure to pat it on my nose and jawline. The application technique is essential to prevent pilling, particularly when applied over other products loaded with actives.
Makeup Must-Haves: Enhance Your Beauty
Let's delve into the world of makeup! As someone who is fiercely loyal to the brands I trust, I've been honing my skills and experimenting with different products. The KVD Tattoo Eyeliner in Brown tops my list. It is perfect for a mature look, minimizes under-eye shadows, and is smudge-proof, even under teary conditions. With its felt tip pen design, application is smooth and easy. This product is a steal at $25.
I also adore Tower 28's Make Waves Mascara, a volumizing mascara priced at $20. Merit's Flush Balm Cream Blush, retailing at $30, is another favorite. It can be applied directly or with a brush for a flushed look. Also worth mentioning is Gucci Westman's luxurious highlight lit up stick. The magnetic closure provides a satisfying click, and it's perfect as a gift with no color matching required.
Hair Care: Beyond the Surface
In terms of hair care, I highly recommend the Color Wow root cover up powder ($34) for its remarkable ability to cling to hair without leaving brown residue. Nutrafol's vegan supplement is my go-to for hair loss treatment. It's a good option because its small pill size makes them easy to swallow. For an indulging hair care experience, Crown Affair's Signature Scent hair perfume is a luxury gift option with its exquisite packaging.
Body Care: Indulgence for Your Skin
Lastly, let's talk about body care. Augustinus Bader's Body Butter for $185 is a lavish treat, rich with shea butter and bisabolol for optimum hydration. For treating Keratosis Pilaris and enhancing collagen production, consider Necessaire's body retinol, a fusion of pure retinol and 10 percent AHA, available for $55.
That's all for now, folks! This comprehensive guide was curated to help you make informed decisions about the best products for your needs during the Sephora Sale.
About the Author: Caolan
With over a decade of international experience, Caolan's passion lies in simplifying the complex. His innovative thinking and audience-first approach have made significant impacts across the creative industries. Now, as the founder of But More Importantly, he applies these talents to the world of cosmetics, aiming to unmask marketing hype and provide readers with the truth about beauty products. His mission: to help you make informed choices and discover what truly enhances your beauty routine.
